Wrench



' l l gimme@ .H.BBulz'm H. B. BUTLIN Dec; 30, 1930.

' WRENCH Filed NOV. 5, 1929 Patenged Det-Q30, 1.930

ILJNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE HILTON BfYBUTLIN, OF LAPEER, MICHIGAN WRENCH Application led. November 5, 1929. Serial No. 404,998.

of various sizes, together with means where.

by the working engagement of said jaws is not effected by the operation of the wrench in`- imposing the requisite turning movement to the nut or plug.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of 'my improved wrench whereby certain important advan- A tages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the bet-v ter understood, IV will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure l is a view partly in section and partly in elevation of a wrench constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view partly in section and partly in elevation of the jaws of the wrench and parts immediately associated therewith, said figure being at a quarter turn with respect to Figure l;`

Figure 3 is a detailed sectional view taken 40 substantially on the line 3,-3 of Figure 1.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawing, 1 denotes an elongated tubular handle member of desired dimensions provided at its '9pposite end portions with the bearings 2 for the shaft'3. One end'portion of the handle member 1 has formed therewith a boxing or housing 4, the outer walls 5 of which being herein disclosed as removable in order to permit ready access within the boxing or housing 4 when-desired.. i

An end portion of the shaft 3 extends within the boxing or housing 4 while the 0pposite end portion extends a material distance beyond the opposite or outer end ofthe handle member 1. This extended portion 3a of the shaft is angular in cross section and mounted on said portion 8a for rotation therewith but having independent movement lengthwise thereof is a hand wheel or'operating member 6. The hub portion of lthis wheel or operating member 6 constitutesI a clutching'element adapted, upon movement of the member or wheel 6 towards the handle member 1, to interlock with the adjacent end of the handle member 1 whereby during such clutching engagement the shaft 3 is held against rotation. The extension 3a of the shaft 3 is of sufficient length to permit the wheel or operating member 6 to move outwardly from' the adjacent end of` the handle member 1 to an extent to free the wheel or operating member from the handle member whereupon the shaft 3 may be readily rotated as desired.

As herein disclosed, the outer end of the handle member l is provided with diametrically opposed pockets or recesses 7 in each of which is adapted to -be received an outstanding lug or finger carried by the hub of the wheel or operating member 6 whereby the desired clutching action is obtained.

The end portion of the shaft 3 within the housing or boxing 4 has fixed thereto a gear wheel 9 meshing with a gear wheel l0 fixed to a shaft 11 disposed through the boxing or housing 4 at right angles to the shaft 3 and rotatably engaged with opposed walls of the housing or boxing 4. One end portion of the shaft 11 is enlarged to provide an elongated threaded shank 12 positioned exteriorly of the housing or boxing 4 and upon which threads a sleeve 14. ,The outer end of this sleeve 14 is outwardlyiared to provide a bell member 15, said bell member l5 being provided on its outer surface with a circumferenktially spaced rib 16 to facilitate the rotation wide groovey or channel 18. The head 17 at the transverse center of the groove or channel 18 is provided with a kerf 19 which also extends, as herein disclosed, a distance inwardly of the shank 12. The central portion of this kerf 19 immediately adjacent the base wall of the groove or channel 18 is bridged by a cross member 2O preferably integral with the head 17.

Extending within the kerf 19 at opposite sides of the cross member 20 are the elongated arms 21, the inner end portions of which being pivotally held by a cross pin 22 disposed through the shank 12 and bridging the inner end portion of the kerf 19.

Theouter ends of the arms 21 carry the opposedjaws 23 and said jaws 23 are normally urged one away from the other through the medium of an expansible spring 24 of requisite tension interposed between the arms 21 outwardly of the pivot pin 22. As herein disclosed, the spring 24is of a coil type and has its opposite end portions received within the pockets 25 formed in the opposed faces of the arms 21.

The outward or relative separating movement of the jaws 23 is limited by contact of the arms 21 with the bell member 15. As the bell member 15 is rotated to move outwardly of the shank 12, said jaws 23 will be moved one towards the other to effect the desired engagement with a plug, nut or the like, or to cause said jaws 23 to be initially positioned one with respect to the other as may be desired.

The wrench, as herein disclosed, is especially intended for use in removing or applying plugs or nuts generally employed in connection with drain openings of oil pans or crank cases of motor driven vehicles, and the construction is such that after the jaws 23 have been initially engaged with the nut or plug, the desired turning of the nut or plug can be effected by the workman upon rotation' of the shaft 3. It is also to be noted that the relation of the handle member 1 with respect to the shank 12 is such that its desired working operation can be effected with the workman considerably to one side of the drain opening so that when the oil begins to drain out it will not run upon the hands or arms of the workman and thus materially facilitating the operation.

Under certain conditions leverage action is required to start a plug or nut.

Under such conditions after the jaws 23 have been properly engaged with the work the wheel or operating member 6 is moved inwardly for clutching or locking engagement with the adjacent end of the handle memberl 1 so that as the necessary push or pull is imposed-upon the handle member 1 to obtain the desired leverage, the shaft 3 is held against rotation independently of the handle member 1 but upon intermittently declutching the wheel or member 6 from the handle member 1, said handle member 1 can be effectively employed after the fashion of a ratchet structed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim In a speed wrench of the character described, comprising a handle, a shank rotatably mounted in the handle and having a kerf in one end thereof, a pair of jaw members,

signature.

HILTON B. BUTLIN.

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